Communication in nursing care for patients requesting euthanasia: a qualitative study.

To describe the communication during the euthanasia care process for mentally competent, terminally ill patients in general hospitals in Flanders, as seen from the perspective of the nurse. International literature shows that nurses are involved in the care process surrounding euthanasia, regardless of the legal status of euthanasia in the country being studied. In particular, research shows that communication is an important part of good euthanasia care. However, the actual way nurses' communication contributes to the quality of the euthanasia care process remains unclear. A Grounded Theory Design was used. Analysis of 18 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with nurses from nine different hospitals in Flanders (Belgium). The interviews took place during a 20-month period in 2005-2006. The euthanasia care process for mentally competent, terminally ill patients in general hospitals in Flanders is a complex and dynamic process, the connecting thread of which is nurses' communication. During this process, nurses perceive that they communicate often and a lot, with various people, in different contexts, in different ways and with various purposes. This communicative process is intensified by the moral and psychological weight of the theme, and its impact on everyone involved, as well as by the relatively short period of time, during which it all takes place. This article adds to the growing body of literature on nursing care for patients requesting euthanasia. The findings suggest that for nurses, communication is a key instrument for realising good-quality euthanasia care. Being the essence of nursing care for patients requesting euthanasia, nurses' communication requires support and guidance on the level of nursing education, professional guidelines and hospital context.

Denier Y ，Gastmans C ，De Bal N ，Dierckx de Casterlé B ... -  《-》

Nursing care for patients requesting euthanasia in general hospitals in Flanders, Belgium.

This paper is a report of a study exploring nurses' involvement in the care process for mentally competent, terminally ill patients requesting euthanasia in general hospitals in Flanders, Belgium. International literature shows that nurses are involved in the care process surrounding euthanasia, regardless of the legal status of euthanasia in the country being studied. However, their actual involvement remains unclear. A grounded theory approach was used. Data were collected over a 20-month period in 2005 and 2006, using individual in-depth interviews. The sample included 18 Registered Nurses employed in nine general hospitals geographically spread over the five provinces of Flanders, Belgium. The care process for patients requesting euthanasia is complex and dynamic, consisting of several stages. Major themes characterized nurses' involvement: being on the alert for a euthanasia request; open and active listening; multidisciplinary team cooperation and analysis of the group dynamics; continuously providing maximum palliative care; multi-tasking; organizing and directing the euthanasia; and finally, providing support for the family, colleagues and oneself. Nurses make a unique and indispensable contribution to making the euthanasia care process a good care process. This has to do with their specific form of knowledge, expertise and responsibilities, and their willingness to personally, continually and fully care for the patients requesting euthanasia and for their relatives.

Dierckx de Casterlé B ，Denier Y ，De Bal N ，Gastmans C ... -  《-》

Involvement of nurses in caring for patients requesting euthanasia in Flanders (Belgium): a qualitative study.

De Bal N ，Dierckx de Casterlé B ，De Beer T ，Gastmans C ... -  《INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES》

Involvement of nurses in the euthanasia care process in Flanders (Belgium): an exploration of two perspectives.

Denier Y ，Dierckx de Casterlé B ，De Bal N ，Gastmans C ... -  《JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE CARE》

Euthanasia and assisted suicide in Dutch hospitals: the role of nurses.

van Bruchem-van de Scheur GG ，van der Arend AJ ，Huijer Abu-Saad H ，van Wijmen FC ，Spreeuwenberg C ，Ter Meulen RH ... -  《-》